Powers edges Kiesanowski in disputed finish to keep lead

BEAUMONT - A furious finish to the Circuit Road Race for women was the highlight of Friday's second stage of the Redlands Bicycle Classic.

And it was met with mixed emotions.

Alison Powers raced past the finish line and raised her hand in victory. Not even a bike's length behind Powers, however, was Joanne Kiesanowski, who simultaneously raised her hand in protest.

Powers and Kiesanowski were in a full sprint when Powers edged Kiesanowski. Kiesanowski apparently pulled up to avoid a collision with the barricades.

The finish wasn't made official until after a review was conducted by the International Cycling Union, a three-person jury that eventually rejected the protest.

"She (Kiesanowski) was very mad and said it wasn't very cool," Powers said. "I said I didn't know what she meant. I thought it was awesome. I just won and it was awesome."

Powers maintained possession of the Classic's yellow jersey as the overall race leader (3:20:02). Her winning time on Friday was 3:04:05. Powers, a member of the NOW and Novartis for MS team, was Thursday's time trial winner in Big Bear.

"My team was awesome," Powers said. "I had two girls up there who kept the pace high. That allowed me to keep the speed and come out of the corner first. Then it was up to me to keep sprinting and sprinting."

"Frustrating," Kiesanowski, a member of Team Tipco, said following the race. "I didn't want to crash. I'm not going to put myself into the barrier.